Dead-end tool



May 1.8, 1943 J. W. CONRAD DEAD END TOOL File@ Aug. e, 1941 2Sheets-Shelet 1 ATTORNEY /NVEN TOE,

May 18 1943 J. w. CONRAD 2,319,587

' DEAD END frooL Filed Aug. 8, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 2 /N vE/vTo/B JOHNn/. CON/EA@ Patented May 18, 1943 DEAD-END rroot,

John W. Conrad, Zanesville, Ohio, assignor to James R. KearneyCorporation, St. Louis, M0., a corporation of Missouri K ApplicationAugust 8, 1941, Serial No. 406,609

15 Claims. (Cl.'254-67) 'IIhis invention relates generally to toolsadapted for use in the maintenance of overhead electrical conductors,and more specifically to tools intended for service in removing andreplacing insulators of dead end assemblies oi electricalV conductors,the predominant object of the invention being to provide a tool of thetype referred to above which is of simple construction and arrangementand is capable of performing its intended function in a highly efficientmanner.

Most of the apparatus employed prior to this invention for aiding inputting slack in dead end assemblies in order to permit removal ofinsulators therefrom, were adapted to lift the full tension of aconductor associated with a dead end assembly being operated upon bysuch previously known apparatus. However, many conductors are dead endedby dead end assemblies which comprise each a, pair of insulator stringsarranged n spaced parallelism and attached to yoke members, and inconnection with such dead end assemblies it has been discovered that itis not necessary to lift the full line tension in order to remove aninsulator from one or the other of the strings of insulators of the deadend assembly.

The prime purpose of this invention. therefore, is to provide animproved tool which is so constructedv and is capable of such use thatone string of insulators of a dead end assembly ofthe double strain typeis permitted to remain in tension when the improved tool is beingemloyed to put slack in the other of the insulator strings ofthe deadend assembly, theresult being that.

the insulator string of the dead end assembly that remains in tensionsupports one-half of the line tension, while the tool supports the otherhalf of the line tension and puts slack in the untensioned insulatorstring to permit removal of insulators therefrom and replacementofinsulators therein.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the improved tool showing same in associationwith a dead end assembly of the double strain type, said dead endassembly.

being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the improved tool, viewed from thelocation of the line 2-2 of Fig. l,

and showing associated therewith in dotted lines` dead end assemblybeing shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary inverted plan view of a portion of the improvedtool with a part of an associated dead end assembly shown in dottedlines.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in elevation, and partlyin section, showing one of a pair of latches forming parts of theimproved tool.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, partly in elevation and partlyin section, showing an adjusting means forming a part of the improveddotted lines in Fig. 1.` A dead end assembly ofA the double strain typeusually comprises a pair of strings of insulators B and C suitablyassembled to connect the insulators thereof together,

'said strings of insulators being arranged in spaced-parallelism andbeing attached at their.

opposite ends to yoke members D and Ewhich are frequently shaped in planas shown in Fig. l.

, The yoke member D of the particular double strain dead end assemblyshown in Fig. 1 includes spaced ears F between which a link G isengaged, said link in turn being engaged by a clevis H which is suitablyconnected to an element J extended from a tower, pole or other support.At the opposite end of the dead end assembly the yoke member E thereofis also provided wth spaced ears K between which isv engaged a link L,said link in turn being engaged by a clevis M which is suitablyconnected to a member N that engages the conductor W supported by thedead end assembly.

The improved tool A comprises a pair of opposed elements I and 2 whichare shaped in plan as shown in Fig. 1, each of said elements including asubstantially curved portion 3 and a tapered extension 4, and saidelements being suitablyV webbed and ribbed as will be presently pointedout herein, to give them the required strength and rigidity. At an endof each of the elements l and 2 a hook-shaped portion 5 is providedwhich extends downwardly and inwardly relative to the element on whichit is formed,

said hook-shaped portion being provided with a.

rib 5 which provides said hook-shaped portion with the requiredstrength. Also at the end of each of the elements I and 2 at which thehookshaped is provided said element has formed thereon a downwardlyextended lug 6 which is arranged in spaced relation with respect to thehook-shaped portion 5, the downwardly extended length of said lug 6preferably being less than the downwardly extended dimension of saidhook-shaped portion 5.

By referring particularly to Fig. 4 it will be noted that the curvedportion 3 of each of the elements I and 2 is elevated with respect tothe tapered extension 4 of the element. In other words the bottom faceof the curved portion 3 of each of said elements I and 2 is located atthe approximate vertical center of the extension 4, this bottom facebeing provided by a horizontal web of material 3a from which spacedupwardly projected ribs 3b are extended and these upwardly projectedribs are joined by cross ribs 3c. Also the portion 3 of each of theelements I and 2 is additionally strengthened by a horizontally arrangedrib 3d which extends along the concave side face of the curved portion 3of the element and joins the hook-shaped portion 5 to additionallystrengthen said hook-shaped portion. Likewise the extension 4 of each ofthe elements I and 2 is produced by a horizontal web of material 4a fromwhich upwardly. and downwardly extended ribs 4b are projected, the ribs4b at the top of the extension being continuations of the ribs 3b of thecurved portion 3 of the element and being joined by cross ribs 4c andthe ribs 4b at the bottom of said extension 4 being shaped as shown inFig. 5. Each of the elements Iv and 2 has formed thereon a horizontallydisposed lug l which is located approximately at the junction of thecurved portion 3 and the extension 4, `said lug being formed on andextendedfroma portionl of the rib 4by at the bottom of the extension andat the side of the element Yat which the concave face of the curvedportion 31s located, and said lug V'I being provided with a rib to givethe required strength thereto.

At itsouter end the extension 4 of each of the elements'I and ,2 isprovided with a bifurcated portion 8, as shown to the best advantage inFigs. 2, 4, and 6, the vertically spaced portions of said-bifurcatedportionsbeing shaped as shown to good vadvantage in Figs. ,-1 vand 5.The vertically spacedportions of the bifurcated end portion 3 -of eachof the elements I and 2 are provided with vertically alined slots 9,each of said slots being open at an end thereof at an edge of the spacedportion Vin which itis formed and being closed-atits-opposite end asshown to good advantage in Fig. 5.

Disposed between the spaced portions of the bifurcated endportion of theextension 4 of the element 2 is a clamp Iii which embraces a pole IIformed of wop'd or other suitable material, said clamp comprising a pairof clamping members Illa and IIlh which are pivoted together atA |00(Fig. 4) andare drawn into clamping engagement with the poleII by boltsId that extend through ears formed on the clampingmembers I0a and lilo.VExtended upwardly from the clamping. member Ia is pin I2 .and extendeddownwardly .from the clamping member Ibv is a similarpin I3, saidpins I2and I3 being extended vthrough and disposed at the bases of the slots 9in the vertically spaced vportions of the bifurcated end portion of theextension of the element 2. vertically spaced .portions of thebifurcated end portion of the extension of the element I is `a Likewise,Adisposed between the block I4 through which is formed a screwthreadedopening I5. As shown in Fig. 6 the top and bottom surfaces of the blockI4 contact with the inner faces of the spaced portions of the bifurcatedend portions of the element I, and extended upwardly from said block isa pin I6 and downwardly therefrom is a pin I'I. The pins I6 and I'I ofthe block i4 are extended through the slots 9 formed in the verticallyspaced portions of the bifurcated end portion of the extension 4 of theelement I and are disposed at the bases of said slots.

The pole Il at the end thereof which is located.. adjacent to theelement I has mounted thereon a head I 8 which, as shown in Fig. '7, isof generally cylindrical formation and is provided with an end wall I8'through which an opening I9 'is formed. The cylindrical portion of thehead embraces an end portion of the pole II andthe end wall thereof isspaced from the end of the pole located within the head to provide aspace 25, and the head is secured to the end portion of 'the Vpole bypins 2l. Associated with the head I8 is a screwthreaded rod 22 which isprovided at one end with an enlarged head portion 23 and at its oppositeend with a tool-receiving extension ,24 of noncircular crosssectionalshape. The screwthreaded rod is alined with the pole II, the enlargedhead portion 23 thereof being 'disposed in the space 26 within the headI8 and said screwthreaded rod being extended through the opening I 9formed -through the end wall I8 of said head L8. Also saidscrewthreadedy rod extends through the opening I5 of the block `I4 inscrewthreaded engagement with the screwthreaded -wall thereof. As willpresently appear herein the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated relative tothe pole VII in the use of the improved tool, and in order to facilitatesuch rotation of the screwthreaded rod the enlarged head portion 23thereof has associated therewith a ball raceway 25, the balls of whichcontact with the inner face of the end wall I 8 of the head I8.

In order to prevent unintended ydisplacement of the pins I2and Iii-of`the clamp I 0 and the pins I6 and I1 of the block I4 from the slots ofthe spaced portions of the bifurcated end portionsof the extensions ofthe elements I and 2, latching structures of like -construction landarrangement are associated with the extensions 4 of said elements I and2. The latching structure associated with the element I is shown indetail in Fig. 6 and this latching structure includes a spacer 26 whichis secured to the web of the extension 4 of the element I by a fasteningdevice 21. Supported by the spacer 26 is an elongated plate 28, saidplate having an enlarged opening formed therethrough through which isextended the shank of a bolt 29 which is screwthreadedly seated in thespacer 26. The bolt 29 is provided with a head at its upper end which isspacedupwardly from the plate 28, and interposed betweenA the head ofsaid bolt and said-plate 28 is a coil spring 30. The plate 28 has .fixedthereto an upstanding, yoke-shaped operating element 3| .and said platerests upon the top face of the uppermost spaced portion of the:bifurcated end portion'of the extension of the element I so that oneside edge of said plate contacts with the circumferential lface of thepin I6 and the opposite side edge of said plate contacts with -a xed pin32 extended upwardly from said-top face of the bifurcated end portion ofthe extension of said element I. Because the pin I6 is confined betweenthe base of the slot in which it is disposed and an edge of the plate28, the block I4 is :prevented from moving relative to the bifurcatedportion with which it is associated to free the pins I6 and I'I fromtheslots 9. When it is desired to remove the block I4 from the bifurcatedportion with which it is associated, the plate 28 may be elevatedagainst the action of the coil spring 30 with the aid of the element 3|,to a point above the upper ends of the pins I6 and 32, whereupon theplate may be swung about the bolt 29 to a displaced position to permitWithdrawal of the pins I6 and II from their slots and removal of theblock from the associated bifiurcated portion.

As has been previously stated the latching structure associated with thebifurcated portion of the extension of the element 2 corresponds inconstruction and operation with the latching structure of the element IIas just described; therefore the latching mechanism of said element 2need not be described in detail herein, and corresponding parts `of bothlatching structures are designated by like reference characters.

The improved tool of the present invention includes a pair of spaced,parallel poles 33 and 34 which are formed of wood or other suitablematerial and extend longitudinally of the pole I I previously referredto herein. Corresponding end portions of the poles 33 and 34 are securedtogether by a pair of clamping members 35 and 35 which are suitablychanneled to receive said poles and are secured together and to thepoles 33 and 34 by bolts 31 that pass through the clamping members andthe poles and are provided at their upper ends with eyes 38. provide acradle structure which is supported in its proper position at one end bya rope 39 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) which is turned about the element I and istied at its opposite ends to the eyes of the bolts 3'I. At the oppositeend of the cradle structure the poles 33 and 34 rare supported by asupporting structure 4I] (Fig. 4), said supporting structure 40comprising an element so shaped as to provide an eye por-tion 4I atwhich said supporting structure is secured to the element 2 by a 'bolt42. Also, the element that provides the supporting structure 40 includesdivergent portions 43 which are extended downwardly and outwardly fromthe eye portion 4I and are provided at their lower ends with hook-shapedportions 44 which receive and support the poles 33 and 34.

In assembling the improved tool A with a dead end :assembly `of thedouble strain type the elements I and 2 are associated with the yokemembers' D and `E as shown to the vbest advantage in Figs. 1 and4; thatis to say, the at, bottom faces ofthe lportions 3 of said elementscontact with and rest upon top surfaces of said yoke members D and E.Also the hook-shaped portions of said elements I and 2 extend around theyoke members D and E and engage lower portions thereof, and the lugs 6engage the inclined faces Da and Ea of said yoke members D and E.Furthermore the inclined faces 45 of the portions 46 of the ribs 4blocated at the bottoms of the extensions 4 of the elements I and 2contact with correspondingly inclined faces Db and Eb of the yokemembers D and E, and the lugs 1 of said elements l and 2 extend beneathand contact with lower surfaces of portions of the yoke members D and E(see Fig. 5). Y

With the assembly made up of the pole I I and the screwthreaded rod 22associated with the elements I and 2 as has been previously describedThe poles 33 and 34 herein, and with the cradle structure produced bythe poles 33 and 34 supported in position with respect to said elementsI and 2, the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated *with the aid of a suitabletool (not shown) which is applied to the tool-receiving extension 24thereof, and such rotation of said screwthreaded rod causes it to travelthrough the block I4 whereby the pole II is moved in the directionindicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 and the extension of the element 2 isdrawn toward the extension of the element I. This has the effect of`canting the yoke member E from its normal position to the position inwhich it is shown in Fig. l, with the result that slack will be put inthe string of insulators B `which will permit insulators to be removedtherefro'm and new insulators introduced in said string of insulators.When slack is put in the string oi insulators B as has been describedthe cradle structure provided by the poles 33 and 34 receive and supportthe sagging insulator string so that work thereon will be facilitated.

It is obvious that when the screwthreaded ro`d 22 is rotated to providefor relative movement between the outer ends of the extensions I and 2,as has been pointed out herein, the canting of the yoke member E isbrought about by a pushing force exerted by the face 4'5 of the element2 against the face Eb of the yoke member E, and by a pulling forceexerted by the hook-shaped portion 5 of the element 2 against anopposite portion of the yoke member E. There may also be some canting ofthe element I when the screwthreaded rod 22 is rotated to put slack inthe string of insulators B but perhaps not as much as the canting actionto which the element 2 is subjected. Also it is important to note thatbecause the clamp I0 may be adjustable longitudinally of the pole II todifferent xed positions thereon the tool A may be employed with dead endassemblies having insulator strings of different length. Likewise it ispointed out that each of the elements I and 2 is provided with anupstanding eye 4'! which serves to aid in the operation of raising thetool A to an elevated positi-on with respect to a tower or pole.

When the required work has been done on the string of insulators B,shown in Fig. 1 and it is desired to do workon the string of insulatorsC which requires slack to be put in said string of insulators C, theelements I and 2 are reversed; that is t0 say, the element 2 isassociated with the yoke member D and the element I is associated withthe yoke member E in the manner previously described herein, and withthe extensions 4 of said elements land 2 extending in the oppositedirection. With the assembly made up of the pole I I and thescrewthreaded rod 22, and the cradle assembly produced by the poles 33and 34 associated with the elements so arranged with respect to the yokemembers D and E, the tool may be operated to put slack in the string of'insulators C as has been already explained herein.

From the foregoing it is plain that when the tool A is in useapproximatelyone-half of the full tension of the conductor associatedwith a double'strain dead 'end assembly being operated on with the aidof the tool, is supported by the untensioned string of insulators Whilethe other approximate one-half of said full tension of the conductor issupported by the tool. Thus a tool may be employed which is lighter andmore convenient to handle and operate than would be a sion vof theconductor.

I claim: Y 4

l. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of stringsof insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arrangedto engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and means at oneside only of the tool for engaging portions of said opposed elements atcorresponding ends thereof and operable to draw said portions of saidopposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one of theopposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack inone of the strings of insulators associated therewith.

2. VA tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portionsformed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members ofthe dead end assembly, and means at one side only of the tool forengaging portions of said opposed elements at corresponding ends thereofand operable to draw said portions of said opposed elements toward eachother so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the deadend assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulatorsassociated therewith.

3. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, partsformed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members ofthe dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposedelements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, the parts on said opposed elementswhich engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising aplurality of yoke-engaging parts formed on each of said opposed elementsone of which yoke-engaging parts is in the approximate form of a hookwhich embraces a portion of an associated yoke member.

4. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, partsformed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members ofthe dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposedelements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, the parts on said opposed elementswhich engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising aplurality of yoke-engaging parts formed on each of said opposed elementsone of which yoke-engaging parts is in the approximate form of a hookwhich embraces a portion of an associated yoke member and another ofwhich yoke-engaging parts is in the form of an abutment which engagesanother remotely located portion of the associated yoke member.

5. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having l OL tool which would be required to liftthe full ten' a plurality of strings of insulators connected to opposedyoke members, comprising opposed elements, portions Aformed on saidopposed elements adapted to vengage the yoke members of the dead endassembly, and means engaging portions of said opposed elements andoperable to drawfsaid portions of said opposed elements toward each,

other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the deadend assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulatorsassociated therewith, the portions Ion said opposed elements whichengage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising a pluralityof engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements,V saidplurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elementscomprising -a hook-shaped portion which embraces a part of an associatedyoke member, an adjacent lug that engages another part of the associatedyoke member, and a remotely positioned abutment which engages yetanother p art or the associated yoke member.

6. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a deadend-assembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portionsformed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yoke members ofthe dead end assembly, and means engaging portions of said opposedelements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, the portions on said opposed elementswhich engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising aplurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements,said plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposedelements comprising a hook-shaped portion formed adjacent to an end ofthe element and which `embraces a part of an associated ,yoke member, anadjacent lug that engages another part of the associated yoke member,and a remotely positioned abutment which `engages yet another part ofthe associated yoke member.

7. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the typehaving a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arrangedto engage the yoke members of.

the dead end assembly, and means for drawing portions of said opposedelements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposedyoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one ofthe strings of insulators associated therewith, said Ameans comprisingan elongated member connected to said portion of one of said opposedelements, a screwthreaded adjusting elementassociated with saidelongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, and a partassociated with said portion of the other of said opposed elements andhaving a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which'saidscrewthreaded adjusting element extends forscrewthreadedadjustmentrelative thereto.

8. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the Vtype'having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed ,elements arrangedto engage the Vyoke members of the dead end assembly, and means forldrawing portions fo said opposed elements toward'each other so as tocant at least one of the opposed yoke members of the dead end assemblyand thereby put slack in one of the strings of insulators associatedtherewith, said means comprising an elongated member, a clamp` fixed tosaid elongated member and connected to said portion of one of saidopposed elements, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with saidelongatend member for rotary movement with respect thereto, and a partassociated with said portion of the other of said opposed elements andhaving a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough through which saidscrewthreaded y adjusting element extends for screwthreaded adtherebyput slack in one of the strings of insula- ,A

tors associated therewith, said means comprising an elongated member, aclamp adjustably fixed to said elongated member and connected to saidportion of one of said opposed elements, a screwthreaded adjustingelement associated with said elongated member for rotary movement withrespect thereto, and a part associated with said portion of the other ofsaid opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formedtherethrough through which said screwthreadedY adjusting element extendsfor screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto.

l0. A tool for putting'slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arrangedto engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly, and havingextensions provided with bifurcated end portions, and means for drawingthe bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, said means comprising an elongatedmember, a clamp iixed to said elongated member, pins extended upwardlyand downwardly from said clamp, spaced portions of said bifurcatedportion of one of said spaced elements being provided with slots thatreceive the upwardly and downwardly extended pins of said clamp, ascrewthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated memberfor rotary movement with respect thereto, a block supported by thebifurcated end portion of the extension of the other of said opposedelements and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough throughwhich said screwthreaded adjusting element extends for screwthreadedadjustment relative thereto, spaced portions of the bifurcated endportion of the extension of said other opposed element being providedwith slots, and pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said blockwhich are disposed in the slots of the spaced portions of the bifurcatedend portion of the extension of the last-mentioned opposed element.

11. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arrangedto engagethe yoke members of the dead end assembly and havingkextensions provided with bifurcated end portions, and means for drawingthe bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, saidmeans comprising an elongatedmember, a clamp fixed to said elongated member, pins extended upwardlyand downwardly from said clamp, spaced poritons of said bifurcatedportion of one of said spaced elements ybeing provided with slots thatreceive the upwardly and downwardly extended pins of said clamp, ascrewthreaded adjusting element associated with said elongated memberfor rotary movement with respect thereto, a block supported by thebifurcated end portion of the extension of the other of said opposedelements `and having a screwthreaded opening formed therethrough throughwhich saidI screwheaded adjusting element extends for screwthreadedadjustment relative thereto, spaced portionsof the bifurcated endportion of the extension of said other opposed element being providedwithrslots, pins extended upwardly anddownwardly from said block Awhichare disposed in the slotsl of the spaced portions of the bifurcated endportion of the extension of the last-mentionedopposed element, andreleasable latching devices for retaining the pins of said clamp andsaid v block in the slots in which they are disposed.

12. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of thetype having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed ele- -mentsarranged to engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly and havingextensions provided with 'bifurcated end portions, Iand means fordrawing the bifurcated end portions of the extensions of said opposedelements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the Vopposedyoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in one ofthe strings of insulators associated therewith, said means comprising anelongated member, a clamp adjustably fixed to said elongated member,pins extended upwardly and downwardly from said clamp, spaced portionsof said bifurcated portion of one of said spaced elements being providedwith slots that receive the upwardly and downwardly extend-ed pins ofsaid clamp, a screwthreaded adjusting element associated with saidelongated member for rotary movement with respect thereto, a blocksupported by the bifurcated end portion of the extension of the other ofsaid opposed elements and having a screwthreaded opening formedtherethrough through which said screwthreaded adjusting element extendsor screwthreaded adjustment relative thereto, spaced portions of thebifurcated end portion of the extension of said other opposed element-being provided with slots, pins extended upwardly and downwardly fromsaid block which are disposed in the slots of the spa-ced portions ofthe bifurcated end portion of the extension of the last-mentionedopposed element, and releasable latching devices for retaining the pinsof said clamp and said .block in the slots in which they are disposed.13. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements arrangedto engage the yoke members of the dead endv assembly, means engagingportions of said opposed elements and operable to draw said portions ofsaid opposed elements toward each other so as to cant at least one ofthe opposed yoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby |put slackin one of the strings of insulators associated therewith, and a pair ofelongated poles supported by said opposed elements beneath the locationof the slackened string of insulators of the dead end assembly andproviding a cradle structure adapted to receive and support theslackened string of insulators.

14. A tool for putting slack in an insulator string of a dead endassembly of the type having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected l to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements,Iportions formed on said opposed elements adapted to engage the yokemembers of the dead end assembly,` and means engaging portions of saidopposed elements and operable to draw said portions of said opposedelements toward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposedyoke members of the dead end assembly and thereby put slack in :one ofthe strings of insulators associated therewith, the portions on saidopposed elements which engage the yoke members of the dead end assemblycomprising a plurality of engaging portions formed on each of saidopposed elements, said Iplurality of engaging portions formed on each,

engages another part of the associated yoke member, a remotelypositioned abutment Which engages yet another part of the associatedyoke member, and an extension formed on said element which underlies apart of the associated yoke member.

l5. A tool for putting slack inl an insulator string of a dead endassembly of thety'pe having a plurality of strings of insulatorsconnected to opposed yoke members, comprising opposed elements, portionsformed' on said opposed' elementsY adapted to engage the yoke members ofthe dead end assembly, and' means engaging portions of said opposedelements and operable to draw said portions of said opposed elementstoward each other so as to cant at least one of the opposed yoke membersof the dead end assembly and therebyput slack in one of the strings ofinsulators associated therewith, the portions on said opposed elementswhich engage the yoke members of the dead end assembly comprising aplurality of engaging portions formed on each of said opposed elements,said plurality of engaging portions formed on each of said :opposedelements comprising a hookshaped portion which embraces a part of anassociated yoke member, an adjacent lug that engages another part of the`associated yoke member, a remotely positioned abutment which engagesyet another part of the associated yoke member, and an" extension formedon said element at the location of said abutment which underlies a partof the associated yoke member.

JOHN W. CONRAD.

